The first nationwide benchmark study measuring the health care industry’s progress in combating the opioid crisis was released. This important baseline analysis shows the positive steps clinicians and insurance plans have taken together – and identifies specific actions that can be taken to reduce addiction and abuse.

For payers, identifying doctors who write more opioid prescriptions can be key for any successful opioid management program. Using the one factor influencing opioid prescription habits, payers can target education improving the overall provider network performance. Physicians trained at the United States’ lowest-ranked medical schools write more opioid prescriptions than physicians trained at the highest-ranked schools, according to a study by Princeton University.

Payers are stretched to the breaking point trying to manage the onslaught of substance use disorder cases. It’s more important than ever to acquire accurate data to help payers and policy makers establish effective and long-lasting opioid crisis measures.

The benefits of putting an end to the opioid crisis burden exceeded $95 billion in 2016 according to an analysis released by Altarum, underscoring the importance of swift investment in evidence-based interventions.

A recent study from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy has uncovered a disturbing prescribing trend in prescribing opioids for nonmalignant chronic pain (defined as pain lasting for more than three months not associated with cancer). The study adds definition to the opioid landscape starting with pain and possibly leading to addiction.

States have broad authority to influence and regulate the prescribing and dispensing of prescription drugs and do so in a variety of ways. CDC provides data and resources to equip and inform states about putting into practice strategies that help prevent high-risk prescribing and improve treatment for battles against opioid addiction and overdose.

The extent of the opioid crisis means years of work, resources, and programming from payers, providers, and patients. A recent effort, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, conducted a literature review and interviewed insurers, providers, and patient advocates looking for the most current efforts, data, and experiences from the frontlines of the opioid crisis.

This week and in separate press releases, Anthem and OptumRx announced significant improvements through their opioid programs. These successes mark new options for the battle in, what the President declared, the opioid "national emergency". The following are important points from their separate announcements.

For payers, identifying doctors who write more opioid prescriptions can be key for any successful opioid management program. Using the one factor influencing opioid prescription habits, payers can target education improving the overall provider network performance. Physicians trained at the United States’ lowest-ranked medical schools write more opioid prescriptions than physicians trained at the highest-ranked schools, according to a study by Princeton University.

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Cindy Ehlers,
V P Clinical Operations, Trillium (formerly ECBH)

"6 of the top 10 largest health plans* entrust BHM for behavioral health peer reviews.